Reality of the Tax and Spending Bill
Floor Speech
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Mr. OWENS. Madam Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Gaetz). Threat of Assassination
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Mr. OWENS. Madam Speaker, Utah is, in the Fourth District, now paying more for everything thanks to the Biden administration's disastrous economic policies. It is throwing our country back to a 1970s economy, and there is no end in sight.
The Democrats' solution? Pack far-left policies into their $5.5 trillion spending package and tell the American people that it cost them nothing. It is a bogus talking point that couldn't be further from the truth.
In reality, this tax and spending bill would perpetuate labor shortages in Utah and across the country, which will harm economic recovery and hurt families in my district; violate Americans' financial privacy by increasing IRS access to our personal bank data; and it will also mandate financial services providers to report financial transactions of $200 per week or greater. The IRS has no business tracking the checking accounts of Americans.
They will also reduce our country's energy independence, causing gas prices to skyrocket nationwide, now, by the way, hitting record numbers in Utah.
It will impose devastating taxes on small businesses as they attempt to get back on their feet.
President Biden and Democrats in Congress want to use this trillion- dollar spending bill to fundamentally reimagine our country's economy, and they are going to raise taxes on the middle class to make it happen. That means higher prices for families at the gas pump, in the grocery store, and everywhere in-between and the highest inflation levels we have seen in over 30 years.
This fiscally irresponsible spending spree places a staggering debt on the next generation of Americans and leaves our country's economy worse off. Honoring Taylor Hoover
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Mr. OWENS. Madam Speaker, 31-year-old United States Marine Corps Staff Sergeant Taylor Hoover from Utah was killed in the line of duty on August 26 by a suicide bomber in Kabul, Afghanistan. He was taken too soon, heroically assisting the evacuation efforts of U.S. citizens and Afghan allies.
In his faithful service to others, Sergeant Hoover and the 12 other servicemembers who were lost on that tragic day embodied the military's core values: honor, courage, and commitment.
I pray that they find solace in his memory and healing in the love of their family and friends. From Hillcrest High School and all the way to Arlington National Cemetery, I know this tragic loss will be felt by many.
We will never forget the sacrifice and service of Sergeant Taylor Hoover. God bless the Hoover family and all of our Nation's Gold Star families.
Honoring Todd Grossgebauer
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Mr. OWENS. I would like to honor a true public servant and a Utah hero, Commander Todd Grossgebauer, who lost a hard-fought battle against cancer over this last summer.
Todd was the second employee hired by the Riverton, Utah, police department. He also served the Provo Police Department for 26 years. He studied at the FBI National Academy. He was a patrol division watch commander and instructor at UVU's Law Enforcement Academy.
Todd and all of our brave men and women in law enforcement put their lives on the line every single day to protect our communities. They truly are hometown heroes.
As we reflect on and honor the sacrifices of our law enforcement officers, I pledge to always back the blue. I am thinking of Todd today and praying for his wife, Brenda, and their entire family. Honoring Brent Jex
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Mr. OWENS. Mr. Brent Jex is a retired police detective of 20 years in the West Jordan Police Department and served as president of the Utah Fraternal Order of Police since 2012.
As a member of Utah's Joint Criminal Apprehension Team, Brent has participated in the arrest of the most dangerous and notorious criminals in the Intermountain West. But even more impressive is his dedication to advocating for our men and women in uniforms' mental health.
Right now, even more than ever, our officers are under scrutiny and stress that none of us can imagine. They have a voice with Brent as the president of FOP.
Referring to mental health treatment, Brent has said, ``Before I thought it was a sign of weakness to have to go seek treatment. Afterward, I realized that it is a sign of weakness not to.''
Brent represents the best of us. He is an invaluable member of the law enforcement community and the State of Utah as a whole.
Brent, thank you for all you have done and all you do to keep our community safe. Honoring Utah's Small Businesses
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Mr. OWENS. Madam Speaker, like many industries across the country, the COVID-19 pandemic took an unyielding toll on small businesses. Over the past several months, I have had the pleasure of visiting hundreds of small businesses across my district to hear firsthand how they are coping through economic recovery. One thing is for certain: Utahns are innovative.
Owlet, located in Lehi, is saving countless lives across the country with its in-home monitoring system for prenatal and newborn babies.
Greek House is a family-owned and -operated restaurant in Taylorsville, currently celebrating its first birthday in Utah's Fourth District.
Local advanced manufacturing companies like Hexcel Company, Rock West Composites, Inc., and Advanced Composites Inc., are leading in the defense, commercial, and aerospace industries.
Neuroxorx in Sandy is providing innovative long-term physical, occupational, and speech therapy for adults and children affected by paralysis.
Grifols in Salt Lake City is a small plasma donation center that helps save and improve lives across the country.
These companies and everything in-between perfectly showcase the innovative and service-oriented spirit of Utah's Fourth District. They think big and bold in their pursuit of excellence.
To every small business in every corner of Utah's Fourth District, thank you for all you do to save our State.
Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
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